A Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Glucagon and Atropine in the Sinus and Atrio Ventricular Nodes

Summary

The drug management of sick sinus syndrome (SSS.) at the present time is not optimal. Due to this we decided to investigate the effect of Atropine (A) and Glucagon (G) in this syndrome. The effect of Glucagon and A in the sinus (SN) and atrioventricular node (A VN) was compared in 11 patients (pts.), 5 with sick sinus syndrome and 6 with normal sinus node function (N) G shortened the sino-atrial recovery time (SART) in N. by 16.6% (1046 ± 112 to 856 ± 61 msec) P < 0.025 and by 23% in SSS (1408 ± 16 to 1058 msec + 110) P < 0.025 A shortened the SART in N by 19.5% (1046 ± 112 to 832 msec + 77) P < 0.025 and by 26.7% in SSS (1335 ± 193 to 945 msec ± 182) P < 0.10. G increased AVN conduction in N by 12% (165 to 141.6 msec ± 34) P < 0.010 and A by 19% (178 ± 27 to 142 msec ± 21) P < 0.0025. The effects in SSS was similar. G increased the heart rate (HR) by 17% in Nand 26% in SSS (NS). A increased the HR by 26% in Nand SSS. In conclusion G and A have similar effects of shortening the SART and increasing A VN conduction, although pts with SSS are more sensitive to both drugs than N. The effect of G lasted up to 5 minutes while A up to 10 minutes. These electrophysiologic findings show that drugs can be used for the temporary management of patients with SSS.